Embroidery Stuff...

I had someone e-mail me today with simple questions such as "what kind of scissors do you use?" and "what kind of stabilizer do you use?" and also, this person asked if I had considered a tutorial on stabilizer and/or hooping. I actually did a word doc a while ago which shows how I prepare and hoop a shirt. I'll see if I can copy and paste it to a blog post. Not sure if I can? So here are the scissors I use! A big pair for cutting fabric, stabilizer and all that stuff! The small pair on the right is the pair of scissors that came with my Brother sewing machine. I had 2 pair, but one walked off (or got thrown away!) I bought the small pair on the left, but the ends are almost too sharp and they tend to catch the shirt or fabric I'm appliqueing on (when I am trimming the fabric). This can cause you to cut the shirt, which then requires a little fabric glue and a prayer! The satin stitch usually covers it up and the glue keeps it from causing any real damage, but overall I prefer the right small pair - the ends aren't too sharp! Exciting stuff, eh?

I believe in using a fusible product! Wonder Under is a popular one, but I prefer Heat N Bond Lite! It comes on the bolt so I buy it by the yard ($2.19/yd at Hancocks). I usually get 5 or so yards at a time and it lasts me a while! It comes with instructions and I iron it on the applique fabric. It makes trimming nice and clean (cuts back on loose threads) and when you're done, the idea is that you iron over your finished applique and it fuses the applique to your shirt! It's not a perfect science, but it works pretty well and I think it makes the applique look much nicer - cuts down on bubbles!

So I just cut a piece and iron it on my fabric...

And you probably can't tell from this next picture, but after you peel the paper away, it leaves a shiny layer of the Heat N Bond. The reason I prefer it to Wonder Under is because the paper peels off very easily - just pick at a corner and peel away! And, when you peel the paper off the layer of HNB is easily visible. With Wonder Under I found it hard sometimes to peel the paper away, and it leaves a cobweb type product on your fabric. A lot of people love and swear by Wonder Under... I just prefer Heat N Bond (Lite - it comes in a heavy weight too). I also spray a light layer of Sulky Spray Adhesive on this piece of fabric before I put it in place for my tackdown stitch. That just helps the fabric stay smooth on the shirt for the tackdown stitch.

Here is the Birthday Frog (coming soon) after my tackdown stitch and after I've trimmed the fabric away. As you can see I cut pretty close to the tackdown stitch!

And after the satin stitch, facial features and birthday hat, here is the finished product! I sampled 6 new designs since last night and Jeff is due home from his ski trip in less than an hour!! There is a change or two to be made and we'll send the new stuff off for ART conversion, then list them later in the week!

I'll work on some more pics of stabilizer and such when I get a chance! I'm actually out of my Sulky Cutaway Plus medium cutaway (ARGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). I bought something similar on the bolt but it is NOT THE SAME!! I am COUNTING DOWN to JoAnn's opening in just a few weeks! I pray that they keep their Sulky IN STOCK! I've been doing these samples with the bolt cutaway and I can SO tell a difference, even with 2 layers!!

Here is a new Easter Egg which will be listed later in the week! We're also working on a simple bunny (or bunnies) applique and possibly the Heart Truck, only with an Easter Egg. Stay tuned...